Nigel Farage Claims Bank Account Closure Was Politically Motivated
Nigel Farage, the former leader of the UK Independence Party and Brexiteer, had his bank account with Coutts, the prestigious private bank for the wealthy, shut for falling below the financial threshold required to hold an account.
Farage believed the decision was politically motivated and he has since been turned down by nine other lenders.
However, Coutts said it was a "commercial" decision and that the criteria for holding a Coutts account are clear from the bank's website.
Farage disputed the fact that he was offered a NatWest account at the time his Coutts accounts were withdrawn and claimed that the bank only did this when he "went public" with his story.
Farage also claimed that other banks have refused to take him on as a customer on the grounds that he is a "politically exposed person." A Treasury spokesman said it would be a "serious concern" if financial services were being denied to those exercising their right to lawful free speech.
However, Coutts said it was a "commercial" decision and that the criteria for holding a Coutts account are clear from the bank's website.
Farage disputed the fact that he was offered a NatWest account at the time his Coutts accounts were withdrawn and claimed that the bank only did this when he "went public" with his story.
Farage also claimed that other banks have refused to take him on as a customer on the grounds that he is a "politically exposed person." A Treasury spokesman said it would be a "serious concern" if financial services were being denied to those exercising their right to lawful free speech.
